The Odisha Milk Farmers’ Association organised a demonstration here on Wednesday demanding minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 30 per litre of milk, inclusion of milk and milk products in MDM and ICDS, interest-free loan for milk farmers and animal feed at Rs 15 per kg.
Hundreds of farmers led by association president Rabi Bhera went in a rally from Master Canteen Square to PMG Square and poured milk there in protest. later, they submitted a memorandum to the Governor, Chief Minister and the Agriculture Minister.
The memorandum says over eight lakh milk farmers are distressed as the cost of production is higher than what they get from the Omfed.
“Nowadays a litre of bottled water is sold at Rs 20 to 25 whereas a farmer only gets between Rs 22 to Rs 29 per a litre of milk. The cost of animal feeds has reached Rs 20,” Behera lamented and demanded the MSP per a litre of milk be fixed at Rs 30.
Behera also demanded farmers should be given interest-free loans so that they can strengthen their dairy base. Besides, they demanded that milk and milk products be introduced in mid-day meals in schools and in ICDS scheme fat Anganwadi Centres.
Among others, Dushasana Mohapatra, Narayan Dalua, Sudarshan Pradhan, Pradeep Mishra, Bijaya Behera, Deepdas Yadav and Mitali Nayak were present.